Сontribution of Vladimir Markovich Fridland to the development of comparative-geographic approach

The paper is devoted to the outstanding soviet geographer and soil scientist, Doctor of Geographical Sciences (1964), Professor (1968) Vladimir Fridland (1919–1983). A prominent place in his research works was taken by geospatial comparative-geographic studies. V. Fridland took part in many research projects in various parts of the world, including his motherland. From the actualistic and evaluative positions, the paper considers the important (at present) results from the seminal works of V. Fridland, which he had obtained using a wide range of methodological tools and research techniques, including comparative-geographical approach. V. Fridland also made an important contribution to the formation and development of natural geography. He enriched theoretical, methodological and applied aspects not only of soil science, but of geography in general. In his work of 1956, the scientist convincingly, in a concise comparative form and causal relationship, highlighted the natural conditions of the USSR and outlined their foreign analogues. In his influential work of 1964, V. Fridland had investigated the weathering processes, types of weathering, genesis and geography of soils in Northern Vietnam. In the 1970s, the pioneering scientist created a new research area – the doctrine of the structure of soil cover. Through field research in many regions of the Earth, the scientist has used and improved the approaches and methods of many natural sciences, including comparative one. V. Fridland successfully and productively used in scientific research almost the entire range of comparative-geographical methods. V. Fridland was the first one in the soviet geography to identify comparative method as an approach.

IX convention of Ukrainian Society of soil scientists and agricultural chemists

At the beginning of July 2014 on the base of the Mykolaiv National Agrarian University the IХ convention of Ukrainian society of soil scientists and agricultural chemists took place. In-process convention 213 delegates and participants from 21 separations of Ukrainian society of soil scientists and agricultural chemists took part. The program of the convention included the plenary meeting and the meetings of sections "Genesis and geography of soils", "Evolution of soil properties, monitoring of the state, technologies of land-use management", "Reclamation of soils", "Protection of soils from erosion, recultivation and land-use management, ecological state of soils and their protection against contamination", "Agrochemical providing of modern agriculture", "Biology of soils", delegate meetings and scientific field excursion. Practically in all sections the problem of soil and soil cover conservation from degradation as a consequence of anthropogenic influence came into question. The Congress passed a resolution, where the work of Society was positively marked, the priority directions of the scientific and research and practice activities were defined, an Appeal to the President of Ukraine, Supreme Council of Ukraine, Prime Minister of Ukraine was accepted.

Actual problems оf geography of soils

The present state of soil-geographical knowledge has been analyzed. The problems of geographical distribution of soils on the earth's surface, the peculiarities of it’s zoning and zonation, soil distribution in accordance with landscape conditions, soil sensority and reflectivity, the ecological principles and approaches in geography of soils have been reviewed. Key words: geography of soils, zoning, soil sensority and reflectivity, soil distribution in accordance with landscape conditions.

Problems of soil science and geography of soils on the pages of “Visnyk of the Lviv University. Series Geography” (1962–2012)

Publications about soil science contained on the pages of “Visnyk of the Lviv University. Series Geography” after its founding to the present were collected and analyzed. Scientist’s contribution to the study of Ukrainian Carpathians, Small Polissia, Volyn Polissia, Western Podillya and Western Forest-steppe soils were defined. Key words: “Visnyk of the Lviv University. Series Geography”, soil, survey, Carpathians, Polissia, Podillya, Forest-steppe.

The department of pedology and geography of soils and its role in formation of the pedology scientific school in Western Ukraine

The results of soil-geography research studies in Western Ukraine related to theoretical and practical approaches to soil genesis, geography, classification and ecology, its sustainable use and protection have been analyzed. Key words: pedology, geography of soil, soil genesis, ecology of soil, Western Ukraine.